Sponsored by Vicky Wu in commemoration of the yahrzeit of JJ Greenberg z”l. May JJ's loving memories, his love for the Jewish People, for the Land of Israel and the State of Israel become a spring of strength for all of us through this challenging time.

The Talmud, Rosh HaShana 18a asks:

When are the times that God is available for an individual?

The Gemara answers:

Rabbah bar Ahuva said: The ten days between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur.

Why is Rosh HaShana considered the first day of the Aseret Yemei Tshuva (Ten Days of Repentance) when the holiday itself is not a day of repentance as opposed to Yom Kippur where we recite the Vidui (confession) prayers?

One reason why we don’t say the Vidui on Rosh HaShana is that if we overuse the confessional prayer, it won’t have the same impact by the time that we get to Yom Kippur. Rosh HaShana is more of a time of introspection which is also part of the Tshuva process.

Listening to the sound of the shofar helps reach this goal.

Rav Avigdor HaLevi Nebenzahl explains:

The shofar reminds us that the Jewish nation began with the sound of the shofar at Mount Sinai and will reach the climax of their historical cycle when the shofar is once again sounded at the time of Kibbutz Galuyot, the Ingathering of the Exiles and Techiat HaMetim, the Resurrection of the Dead. One who can clearly visualize this broader picture of history will not agree to trade the opportunity to participate in the final and eternal redemption for momentary satisfaction of a doubtful nature. One who knows that he holds a small pouch which contains genuine precious gems will not even be tempted to exchange them for a large pile of sparkling but worthless glass.

Rav Nebenzahl emphasizes the importance of seeing the full picture:

In order to undermine the structure of sin, we must succeed not only in hearing the sounds of Rosh HaShana but also in being amongst those who can see the sounds with the eyes of spirituality. We must be able to see the entire world, from start to finish, spread out before us like a woven tapestry. And finally we must understand our unique place in this world.

Although we do not say the Vidui on Rosh HaShana, the holiday is included in the Aseret Yemei Tshuva as it marks a time of spiritual introspection which sets the stage for Yom Kippur.